Issues
Collaborating and working closely with elected officials, community leaders and various organizations over the last 20 years, I’ve actively engaged in addressing community challenges. As a prospective member of the Board of Commissioners, I am committed to shaping policies that directly confront our most pressing concerns. These issues range from tackling the increase in youth crime and violence, to enhancing health and social services, driving thoughtful community development, boosting public safety and maintaining transparent, accountable governance. My focus is on impactful, compassionate leadership that prioritizes the well-being and progress of our community.
RISE IN YOUTH CRIME AND VIOLENCE
RISE IN YOUTH CRIME AND VIOLENCE
The idea that youth violence stems primarily from young people having nothing to do oversimplifies a complex issue. While boredom and a lack of engaging activities can play a role in leading to delinquent behavior, it’s important to consider a range of other significant factors that may also contribute such as the following:
The idea that youth violence stems primarily from young people having nothing to do oversimplifies a complex issue. While boredom and a lack of engaging activities can play a role in leading to delinquent behavior, it’s important to consider a range of other significant factors that may also contribute such as the following:
Addressing youth violence effectively requires an approach that goes behind merely providing activities to keep young people busy. It necessitates addressing underlying socioeconomic issues, improving family support systems, enhancing mental health services, fostering positive peer influences and creating educational and social environments that engage and support young people.
MEET OUR LEGISLATIVE
Our Elected
Representatives
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With her unwavering commitment to the betterment of Newton County and a proven history of effective community engagement, Stephanie is poised to instigate positive change in District 3.
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The government plays a crucial role in addressing public health concerns, social service provision and tackling issues like homelessness, substance abuse and mental health. It’s essential to address these issues with a comprehensive and strategic approach that involves partnerships, adequate funding, clear performance metrics and accountability measures.
It’s disappointing to witness instances where our local government outsources the responsibility of addressing social services to organizations that receive funding but don’t fully deliver on the services promised to the community. We should prioritize organizations that have proven, evidence-based programs that are effective in addressing these issues. It’s important to avoid investing or continuing to invest in organizations and programs with a limited history of success.
There is something worse than not getting what you paid for and that is allowing your oversight to fail people who depend on these services. We owe it to our citizens to ensure that our local government’s resources are used wisely and effectively to meet their crucial needs. As an attorney, I vigorously fight for my clients. As your representative for District 3, my commitment to advocating for those who may not be able to advocate for themselves will continue on a broader scale of policy implementation. I am eager to collaborate with my fellow commissioners and community partners to assess the current situation and work toward real progress.
An example of a successful partnership with community organizations is Willing Helpers Medical Free Clinic. Willing Helpers Medical Free Clinic is located in Newton County, Georgia. Their mission is to provide quality medical care to chronically ill, low-income, uninsured adults in the Newton County community. Willing Helpers is the first and only source of free medical care, free medication and low-cost medication for the uninsured in Newton County. The clinic has provided medical care to over 5,000 residents in the past 17 years and in 2021 had approximately 800 unique active patients. The patients seen at Willing Helpers primarily are diagnosed with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease, hypertension and heart disease.
In 2021, due to the influx of patients suffering from these chronic illnesses worsened by Covid-19 exposure, Willing Helpers was on the verge of closure. Acknowledging the importance of Willing Helpers’ presence in our community, I reached out to Willing Helpers to obtain more information regarding the resources that were needed. I knew that Newton County had been allotted funds from the America Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”). These funds were meant to have far-reaching effects to address the plight left by the Covid-19 epidemic. I advocated for Willing Helpers to receive $750,000 of the funds from the America Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”). The allotment of these funds allowed Willing Helpers to remain open and secure medical equipment that would further assist in the treatment of low-income and uninsured patients.
It was my understanding and awareness that identified the issue, my compassion that motivated action and unwavering dedication that refused to rest until we discovered a solution. This is who I am. This defines my essence.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND “SMART” PLANNING
In 1998, I settled in District 3’s Magnolia Manor Subdivision on Fairview Road and witnessed its transformation from farmland to a rapidly developing residential area. By 2004, facing unchecked growth on Fairview Road, my neighbors and I actively opposed this development style, but our efforts were unable to overcome the established connections between developers and those in decision-making positions. This experience was enlightening, and I applied these insights as a member of Smart Growth Newton County from 2013-2019. The organization focused on raising awareness about the importance of strategic planning for the community’s growth among residents and local authorities.
To address the overgrowth experienced in District 3 and other areas of Newton County, I believe that we must first determine, collaboratively, what is it that we (business owners and community members) want for our community. Next, we must engage in a comprehensive reevaluation of our zoning laws and future land use maps to determine if what is currently in place will allow us to reach our set goal. We must determine whether our future land use map and zoning laws are hindering balanced growth and failing to meet the community’s need. Using this multifaceted initiative, our approach towards development must be recalibrated to ensure the smart sustainable growth that we desire.
As your representative of District 3, I am committed to exploring and, if acceptable, advocating for the implementation of sustainable initiatives. These include developing infrastructure that supports biking and walking, enhancing connectivity to trails, assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Keep Newton Beautiful Department for possible reboot, focusing on waste reduction strategies and organizing more amnesty days specifically for District 3. By prioritizing these sustainable practices, we aim to create a more vibrant, eco-friendly, and connected District 3. In addition, I am fully vested and determined to work collaboratively with my fellow Board of Commissioners members, developers, and residents of District 3. Together, we will ensure that the development of parks and recreational facilities in District 3, as has been promised by our local government since 2017, is executed properly and in the best interests of our community. These efforts not only promote a healthier, more active lifestyle for residents but also contribute to environmental preservation and community well-being. These initiatives for smart growth and sustainability in District 3 go beyond mere proposals; they are a testament to my unwavering commitment to revitalize our district. These efforts symbolize our journey towards transforming District 3 into an exemplary community, one that thrives by overcoming challenges of overgrowth and past planning missteps.